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Nicholls kicks off annual food drive

Nicholls kicks off annual food drive

Nicholls State University will begin collecting canned food later this month to donate to area food banks for the holiday season.

The annual food drive, Nicholls CAN, is a campus-wide movement to donate non-perishable food items. The collection will begin Oct. 29 and end Nov. 9.

Michael Williams, associate professor of art and coordinator of the food drive, said the goal is to collect one can per student, faculty and staff on the campus, or about 7,000. Last year, the food drive collected and donated 14,386 items of food.

Annually, more than 5 million households in the United States required the services of a food bank. Louisiana ranks 49th in food security with more than 20 percent of its residents having “limited or uncertain” access to foods, according to a report by Hunger Free America.

In Louisiana, an estimated one in four children doesn't have access to food, according to FeedingAmerica.org.

“I feel that one of the most important things we can do as a university is to give back to our community and this is an example of that,” Williams said. “I feel better knowing that Nicholls is helping secure a meal for a child and their family during the holiday season.”

On Monday, Nov. 5, the Nicholls Student Government Association will sponsor a Can Wars competition, where departments can create art using cans. The most creative and the most school spirit designs will each be awarded a $250 prize.

For information on how you can donate, contact Williams at michael.williams@nicholls.edu.